Oakland and Houston will start off the American League Division Series on Monday afternoon. The Athletics got past the White Sox in three games, while Houston swept Minnesota in two games

Houston was not great during the regular season but turned it on in the first postseason series. The Astros went to Minnesota and took the first two games 4-1 and a 3-1. Houston will turn to veteran Zack Greinke for the Game 1 start. He allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out one batter in four innings against Minnesota in the first playoff game. Greinke pitched better in that game than he did down the stretch, wherein his last five starts, he posted a 6.07 ERA and 1.43 WHIP.

Oakland did not have an easy time in the Wild Card round dropping the first game before winning the next two. They battled back in game three after trailing 3-0 and came away with a 6-4 win. Oakland will send pitcher Jesus Luzardo to the mound in Game 1. In the Wild Card round, he allowed three runs on six hits across 3.1 innings, striking out five. in his last start in the regular season, he pitched six scoreless innings allowing five hits and striking out seven against the San Francisco Giants. He threw three innings out of the bullpen against the Dodgers in the final week of September, giving up three runs on three this and three walks.

Both starting pitchers struggled in their first playoff start of the year. Houston has a very talented lineup but they struggled throughout the regular season. They seemed to find some old magic in their first playoff series. The Astros should feel confident against a pitcher who struggled in his first playoff outing. Greinke has been bad over the last month and the A's have a potent offense themselves.

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